SHADES OF NUDE

I don’t know if I’ll ever get tired of wearing nude lipstick! It’s my favourite lip colour that became like a signature look of mine and I can’t actually think of a more simple and sophisticated choice for everyday make up. It’s classy, understated and it goes with any occasion all year round.

Nude lipsticks work on any skin type and if you haven’t found a shade to like, know that sometimes it takes lots of trials to find the right colour. If you have fair skin, look for dusty soft pink hues or rosy peach and if your skin is medium to dark, you can try beige, caramel or brownish nude. It’s just important to choose one that enhances your features and doesn’t wash you out. Avoid those too opaque textures that look like a concealer, they are a bit difficult to wear and can make you look dull. Instead go for creamy, semi sheer formulas that make your lips look healthy and sensual.

If you are looking to invest in a good quality nude lipstick, I will always recommend M.A.C. They have a pretty extensive lipstick range and the formulations are some of the best I’ve tried. Here are my top picks..

Creme d’Nude is absolutely gorgeous and my favourite of all, I just haven’t found one to like more! It’s a perfect balance of soft rosy – peachy nude that looks wonderful on fair to medium skin tones. The texture is moisturising and creamy, the finish is semi sheer and slightly shiny without being too glossy. It glides on smoothly, does not dry out the lips throughout the wear, fades naturally and it’s easy to reapply without a mirror. Definitely worth a try next time you pass a MAC counter.

Fleshpot – This isn’t one I wear very often because it’s a bit too opaque and very pale and it definitely requires a smoky eye look to balance it out. It has a strong pink undertone which goes perfectly with very light, cool skin tones but I don’t think it’s a shade you can wear daily as it looks a bit artificial. This is a bold nude, great for when you feel like wearing a rather heavy eye make up and a more dramatic look.

Cream Cup is a cool toned, light to medium shade of pink, more pigmented than Flesh Pot and a bit more intense. The texture is hydrating and creamy with a slightly glossy finish and it isn’t drying at all on the lips. It looks pretty natural for everyday wear and I think it matches most skin tones. Certainly one worth having! It doesn’t have such a good staying power though, so I like to wear it with Hip’n’Happy lip pencil to make it last longer and add a bit more definition to my lips.

Myth – This is a cult product of M.A.C. lipstick range as many find it to be the perfect nude. I like it but I hardly ever wear it alone as sometimes it can look as if I’ve put concealer on my lips especially if my skin is tanned. It looks better topped with a lip balm as the finish is too matte and a bit drying. This is a versatile colour which I like to mix with other lipsticks to lighten them a bit and create my own shade of nude.

What are your favourite nude lipsticks?